Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Board of Selectmen Present: Kenneth F. Troup
May 6, 2010 Stanley Wysocki
Curtis Plante
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Dave Lindsay and Randy Dinjian, Advisory Committee
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Present: Jim Anker, Moderator
Mr. Anker stated that town meeting went very smoothly without a glitch. There were 157 voters at town meeting but Mr. Anker would like to see more people attend town meeting.
Mr. Troup suggested that the format of the budget spreadsheet printed in the annual town meeting warrant be revised so that the “requested column” reflects the cost of living adjustment (cola) as approved by the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee to avoid questions on town meeting floor. Mr. Lindsay felt that the present way it was printed made people aware of the cola being included in the budget. A suggestion was made to add a cola line item to each budget. Mr. Troup suggested and other agreed that omissions, such as the DPW oversight should be added to the requested column.
Mr. Lindsay suggested an easier way to do a secret ballot other than the way described at town meeting. Mr. Anker’s opinion is that a secret ballot should only be used in extraordinary cases. He will look at other options that exist related to a secret ballot at town meeting and welcomed any suggestions regarding the secret ballot process.
Mr. Lowe stated that the review of the annual town meeting with Town Counsel at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting prior to the town meeting worked out very well and this step will be added to the annual town meeting calendar.
HAZARDOUS WASTE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Hazardous Waste Memorandum of Agreement and comments provided by Town Counsel related to the Agreement. The Board raised questions about the fee formulas, liability insurance, re-instatement of membership and waiver of collaborative facilities costs for the host community. Mr. Lowe and Ms. O’Toole will attend a meeting with Mass Development to discuss the memorandum of agreement and raise the questions discussed this evening.
GREAT BROOKS FARMS
Mr. Slater requested six beer and wine licenses for music show events that he will be holding throughout the spring/summer of 2010. Mr. Slater stated that he has obtained the appropriate insurance policy required for the liquor licenses.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the six beer and wine licenses with the understanding that Mr. Slater will provide the Board of Selectmen and the Police Department with the dates of the events. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
Mr. Lowe stated that a requirement of the special permit issued by the Planning Board required Mr. Slater to complete a site plan review with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Slater reviewed the site plan with the Board of Selectmen and stated that he has ample parking for the events. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the site plan. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Road Bond: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen approved the rules and regulations for single and shared driveways with revisions to Section (i) of the rules and regulations, and #9 of the application. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes) Section (i) Bond will read as follows: “When all work required by the permit issued has been completed and approved by the Building Inspector, the Town will refund to the applicant the amount of the bond posted.” The words “(unless waived by the Planning Board)” will be omitted from Section #9. of the application.
EASEMENTS
The Board of Selectmen executed the following easements that were approved at the Annual Town Meeting on May 3, 2010:
Cell Tower Easement to Verizon New England Inc., and National Grid over the town property located at Forbush Mill Road near the transfer station for the purpose of accessing, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, operating and maintaining a line of poles for the transmission of high and low voltage electricity and the transmission of intelligence for the cell tower.
Library Pole Easement to National Grid over town property located at 738 Main Street for the purpose of accessing, installing, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, replacing, operating and maintaining a telephone pole at the Public Library.
Library Propane Easement to Osterman Propane for ingress and egress over town property located at 738 Main Street for the purpose of installing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, reinstalling or removing a propane tank, regulators, piping and other materials at the Public Library.
Public Safety Center Easement to National Grid a permanent and non-exclusive easement over town property located at 15 Wattaquadock Hill Road for the purpose of accessing, constructing, reconstructing, repairing, replacing, operating and maintaining an overhead system and an underground system for the transmission of high and low voltage electric current and for the transmission of intelligence to the Public Safety Building.
THANK YOU
Mr. Troup thanked the press for their outstanding courtesy during the years that he served on the Board of Selectmen. He invited all meeting attendees to remain after the executive session for ice cream with his family.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante - yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) at 8:20 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day